ECH 500 Early Childhood Education in Today’s WorldParticipants in this course will investigate the current field of inclusive early childhood care and education from the perspectives of leadership, advocacy, policy and research. This course serves as a foundation for the M.S. Ed. Program, as students develop goals for their professional growth. Using a socio-ecological model, the contexts of the environments that surround childhood in the 21st century will be identified and explored. Students will explore current issues in early childhood by reading and understanding research on a selected topic in early childhood.

Prerequisites:Baccalaureate degree in early childhood or related field. Enrollment in UMF MS Ed in Early Childhood Program or Permission of InstructorInstructor: Donna KarnoFormat/Location:Blended design/UMFDates/Days/Times: May 14 – June 16, 2018. Face-to-face meetings on Saturdays May 19 and June 16 from 9:00 – 3:00 PM. Online Synchronous class meeting on Thursday May 31 from 7:00-9:00 PM.Class Number:4457

ECH 502 Diverse Programming in Early Learning EnvironmentsThis course develops a transformative approach for incorporating diversity and multiculturalism into the classroom with an emphasis on curriculum-building. Students will examine patterns of increasing diversity and how diversity impacts the classroom. The course presents diversity as a caregiving and teaching strategy for the children and their families. Students will emerge with a deeper understanding of multiculturalism and its meaningful inclusion into their lesson plans. This course may fulfill a course towards attainment of the Maine state Birth-5 081 teaching certificate.

Prerequisites:Baccalaureate degree in early childhood or related field. Enrollment in UMF M.S. Ed. Early Childhood Program or Permission of Instructor.Instructor: Leigh Ann FishFormat: BlendedDates/Days/Times: June 25 – July 29, 2018. Online Synchronous class meetings on Thursdays, July 12 and July 26 from 7:00 – 9:00PM.Class Number:4458

ECH 535 Play and the Social World of the ChildIn this course, students examine how children form and maintain relationships with others, including the family, peers, early childhood educators, and the community. Issues involving support systems for inclusive education settings will be investigated. The implications of these relationships for children’s development are investigated, as is the critical role of play in promoting positive connections with individuals and groups in the child’s world.

Prerequisites:Baccalaureate degree in early childhood or related field. Enrollment in UMF M.S. Ed. Early Childhood Program or Permission of Instructor.Instructor:Patricia WilliamsFormat/Location:Blended/UMFDates/Days/Times: June 4 – July 6, 2018. Face-to-face class meetings on Saturdays, June 9, and June 30, from 9:00 – 4:00 PM. Online Synchronous class meetings on Wednesdays, June 6, June 20, and June 27, from 7:00-9:00 PM.Class Number: 4459

EDU 550 School Law for AdministratorsThis course is a survey of the legal bases of public education in the United States and of contemporary legal issues and cases affecting the practice of school administration. Although the primary objective is to acquaint the student with the legal principles governing public education in the nation and the State of Maine, special attention will be given to those topics of school law which are, or should be, of immediate concern to the practicing school administrator.

EDU 551 Changing Educational Organizations in a Diverse WorldThis course is designed to provide an overview of educational organizations and the change process with attention to the impact of diversity on the local context. It draws on literature about organizational behavior, change, diversity, leadership, and professional learning communities. The course begins with an analysis of organizations and moves to a focused examination of the change process. Specifically it will support a framework that acknowledges the important role that families, communities, and culture play on educational practice.

EDU 583 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment I: Development and Planning for Digital Age LearnersThis course focuses on current research and best practice in the area of curriculum development, instructional design, and assessment techniques. Participants will learn about a range of planning models that will inspire the creativity and innovation necessary to provide rich and powerful learning experiences and environments for every student. This course motivates participants to support colleagues in engaging students authentically in their own learning. An integral part of this course will be the development of a critical stance related to current practices in the design of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

EDU 585 Cultivating Ethical LeadershipThis course is designed to cultivate ethical leaders at the classroom, school, and district level who are prepared to influence system transformation. Using student-generated and case study scenarios participants will engage in reflective practice to develop their ethical leadership capacity. Participants will collect data; reflect on the role of local context; and the importance of building relationships with a variety of stakeholders to advocate for student learning.

EDU 594 Designing a K-8 Math Coaching PracticeThis is the first course in a three-course series. This course offers an introduction to the theory and practice of elementary (K – 8) mathematics coaching. Students will examine the literature related to mathematics coaching with particular attention to the different models employed by school districts and the efficacy of coaching. Focus will also be given to developing a shared vision of quality instruction in elementary school mathematics.

Prerequisites:Baccalaureate degree and must be a member of the Maine Mathematics Coaching Project (MMCP)Instructor: Debra WithamFormat/Location: Blended design/UMFDates/Days/Times: June 2 – July 31, 2018. Face-to-face class meetings on Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 – 3:00PM, Thursday, June 28 from 9:00 – 3:00PM, and Monday, July 23 from 9:00 – 3:00PM.Class Number: 4472

SED 504 Collaborative Partnerships Among Individuals With Disabilities, Families and ProfessionalsThis course focuses on collaboration and teaming strategies among individuals with disabilities, their families, general and special educators, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, and other related service providers in inclusive school and community settings. Assignments and activities require application of teaming and collaboration skills. Participants will also conduct research on collaborative interactions in school and community-based services. Course projects involve co-teaching, staff development, and problem-solving situations.

SED 507 Curriculum and Instructional Programming for Students with DisabilitiesStudents will explore basic principles of curriculum development and instructional programming for students with disabilities. Students will focus on how to develop clear instructional goals and objectives for Individual Education Plans and then how to construct daily instructional programs to accomplish these goals and objectives. Students will explore current theory and practice regarding direct instruction as it applies to teaching reading and related skills.

This course, for practicing teachers, focuses on methods and strategies for introducing mathematical concepts to children and youth with disabilities, preschool through high school. Issues of concern, major curriculum thrusts, such as the Common Core State Standards, Maine Early Childhood Learning Guidelines, promising practices, methods to differentiate instruction, linking instruction and assessment, accommodations, modifications, and assistive technology are addressed in this course. Approaches for children of different age levels from preschool through secondary are included. Students will select course projects appropriate for the setting or grade level in which they work.

SED 513 Early Childhood Speech and Language: Development, Disorders and InterventionsThis course is designed to introduce future early childhood special and general educators to the development of speech and language in young children. Content includes an overview of the ages and phases of typical speech and language development and the link between speech, language and literacy. We will explore disorders and delays in speech and language and learn about research-based techniques for assessment, identification and intervention.

SED 514 Literacy Development for All StudentsThis course introduces research-based approaches to (1) the assessment of and for literacy, and (2) the implementation of methods, materials, strategies, and techniques for supporting literacy learning of all individuals, including those with disabilities. Although this course focuses on the special needs of individuals with disabilities or who are at risk, individuals taking this course will learn ways to address the needs of all students in grades Pre-K through 12 and adults who struggle to read and write or to improve their reading and writing skills. Topics include: assessment, print awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, spelling, writing, and teaching reading and writing to English language learners. Opportunities will be provided for participants to explore independent learning on key course topics.

SED 518 Special Education LawThis course will provide prospective and practicing educators and school administrators with a working knowledge of relevant laws, policies, and regulations related to students with disabilities. Laws and regulations pertaining to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Maine special education regulations, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act will be discussed. Major course topics include Special Education eligibility and IEP development, student discipline, and curriculum access. The historical significance and practical application of laws affecting students with disabilities in school will be emphasized. In particular, the focus of the course will be on making effective educational decisions for students with disabilities.